Dishwashing machine



Oct. 30, 1962 K. D. LANTZ DISHWASHING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR.KURT D. LANTZ ATTORNEY Oct. 30, 1962 K. D. LANTZ DISHWASHING MACHINEFiled Feb. 24, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 JNVENTOR.

KURT 0. LANTZ ATTORNEY Oct. 30, 1962 K. D. LANTZ 3,060,946

DISHWASHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 24, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Kurd). 22 2;wwzfiwa A; ATTORNEY Oct. 30, 1962 K. D. LANTZ 3,060,946

DISHWASHING MACHINE Filed Feb. 24, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

KURT D. LANTZ J 8Y2 A ATTORNEY United States Patent Ofiice 3,060,946Patented Oct. 30, 1 962 3,060,946 DISHWASl-HNG MAIIHINE Kurt DavidLantz, Ektorp, Sweden, assigns: to Altheboiaget Electroiux, Stockholm,Sweden, a corporation of Sweden Fiieri Feb. 24, 1959, Ser. No. 7%,012Claims priority, application Sweden Feb. 21, 1958 27 Claims. (Cl.134-412) This invention relates to washing machines, and particularly todishwashing machines.

While prior workers have given much attention to the problem ofproviding an efficient apparatus for washing dishes, particularly withattention to the problems involved in household dishwashers, it has beenquite difficult to devise dishwashers which are effective tosatisfactorily remove soil and grease from dishes, cups, glasses andcutlery which are of complex and varied configurations. While suchdevices have become generally more sausfactory over the years, it cannotbe said that ultimate satisfaction has yet been achieved and there isaccordingly a continued need for improvement of such devices.

A general object of the invention is to provide a compact, relativelyinexpensive, easily operated dishwasher of improved effectiveness inoperation.

Another object is to provide a novel dishwasher construction in whichthe dish rack or racks are rotated with respect to the source or sourcesof the washing fluid.

A further object is to provide such a dishwasher wherein the rotatablerack is driven, at relatively slow speed, from the same power meansemployed to drive the pump of the machine.

Yet another object is to provide improved drive means for dishwashers.

A still further object is to provide, in a dishwasher of the typedescribed, improved liquid distributing and operating means.

In order that the manner in which these and other objects areaccomplished in accordance with the invention can be understood indetail, reference is had to the accompanying drawings, which form a partof the specification and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a view, partially in vertical section and partially inelevation, of a dishwashing machine constructed in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an end elevational view of the electrical driving motor, andits control switch, employed in the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the motor and switch shown in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are perspective views, on a smaller scale than FIG. 1,showing the dishwasher of FIG. 1 with the cover open, FIG. 4illustrating the device without dishes and FIG. 5 illustrating thedevice with dishes;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the dishwasher of FIG. 1, as viewed frombelow;

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of the dishwasher of FIG. I mounted on asupporting frame;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the dish rackin raised position;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the dishwasher with the cover closed;

FIGS. 10 and 11 are detail elevational views showing a combined motorhousing and dish rack guide employed in the device of FIG. 1, FIG. 10showing the rack in raised position and FIG. 11 illustrating the same inlowered position;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view, enlarged in scale,taken on line 12--12, FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a cover for the detergent supply opening ofthe dishwasher;

FIGS. 14 and 15 are fragmentary vertical and horizontal sectional views,respectively, illustrating a protective and sealing strip applied tocertain edge portions of the dishwasher housing;

FIG. 16 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 16-16,FIG. 9;

FIG. 17 is a horizontal sectional view through the dishwasher of FIG. 1with the dish rack removed, 17 being on the same scale as FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on line 181=8,FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a top plan view of the mechanism of FIG. 18, with some partsbroken away;

FIG. 20 is an elevational view of the mechanism shown in FIGS. 18 and19;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged detail vertical sectional view of a portion ofthe device, including the centrifugal pump, rotating liquid distributor,rotary dish rack support, and associated transmission means; and

FIG. 22 is a view, mainly in top plan, of the mechanism of FIG. 21, FIG.22 being taken on line 22-22, FIG. 21, and the section of FIG. 21 beingtaken on line 21-21, FIG. 22.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, and first to FIGS. 1, 4 and 5,it will be seen that this embodiment of the invention comprises acylindrical housing, indicated generally at 10, including an upperportion 11 and a base portion 12. The top edge of base portion 12 isoffset outward, the bottom edge of upper portion 11 is seated in theoffset, and the resulting horizontal joint is covered by a combinedsealing and supporting strip 13, of rubber, plastic or the like. Bothhousing portions 11, 12 are fabricated of aluminum sheet or glass fiberreinforced resinous material. Upperportion 11 is provided with ahorizontal top wall 14. Lower housing portion 12 has a generallyhorizontal bottom wall 15 to which are attached a plurality of feet 16.A dependent annular flange or skirt 17 is carried by wall 15 to shieldcertain parts of the device hereinafter described.

To provide an opening for the introduotion and removal of dishes, upperportion 11 of the housing is cut along a line extending upward, thenalong the top wall 14 toward the center, then outward and againdownward, as indicated at 18, the resulting edge of portion 11 beingprotected by a soft strip or bead 19 of soft rubber or plastic. Asillustrated in FIG. 14, portion 11 is provided with a series of openings20 extending along a line parallel to the edge 18, and strip 19 has aplurality of retaining lugs 21 spaced in such fashion, as to beinsertable in openings 20. Adjacent lugs 21 in the series projectthrough openings 20 from opposite sides of the sheet ma terial making upportion 11 of the housing.

Cooperating with the opening defined by edge '18 is a door 22, similarin shape to portion 11, and arranged for sliding movement between anested position, in which the dishwasher is open, as seen in FIG. 8, anda closed position, seen in FIG. 9. Door 22 includes a vertical portion23, constituting part of a cylinder, and a horizontal top portion 24,the latter having a portion 25, at the center of the dishwasher, forminga ring seen in dotted lines in FIG. 2. Top wall 14 of upper housing 11has a circular central opening closed by a cover plate 26, FIG. 1, andcoaxial with the ring just mentioned. A cylindrical casing 27 extendsfrom top wall 14 downward through the central opening therein andthrough ring 25 of the door. At its top, casing 27 has a plurality ofoutwardly directed ears 28' which rest on the top of wall 14 and extendabout the central opening in Wall 14. Screws 29 extend downward throughcover plate 26, ears 0 2S and top wall 14 and are each threaded into oneof a plurality of nylon or like elements 30 which serve both (I) asretaining nuts and as guides and supports for ring portion of door 22.Thus, each element has a slot at 31 opening horizontally outward, andthe ring 25 of the top portion 24 of the door is slidably engaged insuch slots. Elements 30 can, of course, be combined into an integralmember of arcuate form.

At its bottom edge, vertical portion 23 of door 22 has secured thereto aplurality of hold-down and guide elements 32, of nylon or the like,having angular slots 33 engaged over the inwardly and downwardlydirected portions of an arcuately extending guide rail 34, as seen inFIG. 16, the guide rail being mounted on the inner face of housingportion 12 adjacent the top edge thereof. Door 22 is manipulated byhandle 35 and is provided with an opening 36, FIG. 9, closed by asuitable transparent sheet to provide a viewing window. The door alsohas an opening 37, FIG. 9, for the introduction. of detergent, whichopening is closed by a cover 38 mounted on the lower face of the doorportion 24, as by pivot pin 39. Cover 38 has a finger grip 40, allowingthe same to be opened and closed.

Bottom wall 15 is provided with a central, circular opening. A cup-likesump casing 41, having a cylindrical side wall 42 and an outwardlydirected annular flange 43, is mounted on wall 15, as by screws 44, withflange 43 surrounding the central opening. A liquid supply conduit 45extends through the side wall of sump casing 41, thence below wall 15and upward along the outside of the housing to a flow chamber 46 mountedon the side of the upper housing portion 11. Chamber 46 has suitablyconnected thereto a flexible delivery hose 47 to be connected to afaucet or other liquid source. As seen in *FIG. 17, hose 47 has a freeend equipped with a flexible female coupling 48 fabricated of rubber orthe like and having an internal conical flange 49, tapering toward theinterior of hose 47. That is, the innermost end of the flange has thesmaller diameter. At its side, coupling 48 is provided with a suctioncup 50 by which the coupling, and thus the free end of hose 47, can beattached to a portion of the housing: surface, such as the top wall 14,when the hose is not in use.

At its end opposite coupling 48, hose 47 extends through and issealingly supported by the side wall of chamber 46, as seen in FIG. 1.Supply conduit 45 leads from a lower portion of chamber 46. The chamberis provided at the bottom with a drain 51. located above a collectingfunnel 52, the bottom of which is turned inward and extends throughhousing portion 11, as seen at 5 3, to deliver to the interior of thedishwasher. The end of delivery hose 47 connected to the flow chamber 46is arranged horizontally to deliver liquid, under faucet pressure, insuch fashion that the liquid follows a whirl path in chamber '46,descending to the laterally arranged inlet of supply conduit 45. Abovethe delivery end of hose 47, chamber 46 is provided with a cover havingan air vent 54 communicating with the atmosphere via top opening 55 ofthe chamber. Thus, most of the liquid from hose 47 flows via the chamber46 to the supply conduit 45 and surges and pressure variations occurringby reason of the nature oftheliquid source are eliminated in the flowchamber. Leakage liquid passes to the interior of the dishwasher viadrain 51 and funnel 52.

At a suitable point on its side wall, sump casing 41 is provided with alateral opening in which is mounted a valve seat '56. As seen in FIGS.18 and 19, the discharge opening at the side wall 42 of the sump 41,which is defined by the valve seat 56, is circular and is in alignmentwith the circular opening 58 in horizontal piping 57. From the size andlocation of the connection 69 in FIGS. 1, 18 and 19, it will be seenthat the sump discharge opening is so dimensioned that it extendsvertically for the greater part of the side wall 42 of the sump 41 andincreases in width in an upward direction from its bottom. The pipecoupling 57 provided with the lateral opening 58 is disposedtangentially with respect to casing 41 and is secured thereto with itsopening in registry with the valve seat 56. Opposite the valve seat,coupling 57 has a lateral boss through which extends a valve operatingrod 59, therod extending exteriorly of the coupling transversely thereofto valve seat 56 and there being equipped with a movable valve element60 cooperating with the valve seat. The arrangement is such that, whenrod 59 is moved outward from the dishwasher, valve element 60 engagesseat '56 to prevent liquid from flowing from the sump chamber into thecoupling, while opposite movement of rod 59 opens the valve to allowsuch flow. Manual actuation of the valve in this manner is accomplishedby pivoting a bell crank lever 61, knob end 62 of which is exposedexteriorly of the machine. Lever 61 is pivoted to a projection 63 formedintegrally with coupling 57, has its short end pivoted to rod 59, and isnormally biased in a direction to close the valve by tension spring 64,as seen in FIG. 19.

As will be clear from FIG. 19, one end of the spring 64 is connected toprojection 63 at a point approximately aligned with the pivotal axis oflever 61 so that, as the lever is moved past the mid-point in itsvalve-opening direction, the spring becomes effective to bias the leverto a position in which the valve is held open.

Since valve rod 59 is constrained to move rectilinearly, provision mustbe made for variation in the effective length of the shorter arm of thebell crank lever during operation of the valve. This is accomplished byhaving the pivot between the shorter lever arm and the valve rod carriedby a cross-slide 59a free to move transverse to the rod but restrainedagainst movement axially relative to the rod.

To one end of coupling 57 there is attached a flexible drain hose 65. Tothe other end there is attached an elbow 66 of relatively firm,resilient or compressible material, such as rubber or synthetic resincomposition. Bottom wall 15 of the housing is provided with a circulardrain opening. The upper end of elbow 66 has an exteriorly facingannular groove 67 and the edge portion of wall 15 defining the drainopening is engaged in this groove. A relatively short, upright overflowpipe 68 is disposed with its lower end inserted in the upper end ofelbow 66, the outside diameter of the lower end of the overflow pipe 68being slightly larger than the normal inner diameter of the upper end ofthe elbow, so that the upper end of the elbow is compressed and thewalls of groove 67 are tightly engaged with the circular edge providedby wall 15, thus providing a good fluid tight seal between the overflowpipe, the elbow and wall 15, and also providing good mechanical supportfor the elbow. Overflow pipe 68 is thus mounted in vertical position,with its top end spaced materially above wall 15. By the arrangementjust described, drain hose is connected in parallel to the sump chamber41, via the valve, and the interior of the dishwasher proper, directlyvia overflow pipe 68.

It will be noted that pipe coupling 57 has identical, plain cylindricalends and that identical connector sleeves 69 are employed to connecthose 65 and elbow 66 to the coupling. Thus, the hose can be connected toeither end of the coupling, so as to extend from the dishwasher ineither of two directions, as desired. To make completeinterchangeability of the elbow and drain hose possible, bottom wall 15is provided with an additional drain hole at 70, FIG. l8, closed by asuitable removable plug 71, FIGS. '17 and 18, the hole at 70 being onthe opposite side of the valve mechanism, as shown.

Rigidly secured within motor casing 27, is a vertical electrical motor72. Secured to the upper end of the motor is a supporting andcontrolling assembly 73 provided with lateral mounting ears 74 screwedto main top wall 14 of the housing. Assembly 73 includes a switch unit,indicated at 75, and the usual condenser 76 and fuse 77. Connection tohouse current is accomplished via flexible cable 78, FIGS. 3, 8 and 9,in the usual fashion. The

switch unit 75 comprises an oscillatable actuator 79 of nylon, etc.,pivoted at its center, as by pin 80, and actuating the switch viaspring-biased slide 81. As seen in FIG. 3, the actuator 79 has a portionextending toward the center of the dishwasher. Top wall 24 of door 22,including ring 25, carries a stop portion disposed to travel an arcuatepath, adjacent said inwardly extending portion of the switch actuator,the stop portion being so disposed as to prevent movement of the switchactuator except when the door is fully closed. The switch is biased to aposition, seen in FIG. 2, cutting off current flow to the motor, whenthe door 22 is open.

Since motor 72 is located entirely within casing 27, and since thecasing is disposed wholly below top wall 14 of housing 10, the apparatusis unusually compact and can be made of such size as to be accommodatedon the counter or sink space beneath the usual kitchen wall cabinets. Inthis connection, it is to be noted that the motor is actually surroundedby the dishes, etc., being washed (see FIG. 5) so that the height of theapparatus is minimized.

At its free end, motor shaft 82, FIG. 3, is connected to a combinationcooling fan on coupling 83. The upper end of a vertical power shaft 84is connected to the fan and coupler, as shown. At its bottom end, casing27 has a central opening in which is disposed the upper end of avertical tube 85, a fluid-tight seal being maintained between casing 27and tube 85, as by packing 86, FIG. 1. Power shaft 84 extendsconcentrically within tube 85, there being an annular space between theshaft and tube. Cover plate 26 is provided with suitable air inletopenings 79, FIG. 8, and fan 83 is effective to draw air inward throughsaid openings, through the motor, and force the air down tube 85,assuring that moisture cannot reach the motor via the tube.

At its lower end, power shaft 84 is connected, by coupling 87, to theimpeller 88, advantageously of glassfiber reinforced phenolic resincomposition, of a centrifugal pump 89, as seen in FIG. 21. The pumpcomprises a hollow body 90 defining a pump chamber 91 generally in theform of an inverted conical frustrum. Impeller 38 is similar in shape tothe pump chamber and is provided at the bottom with a central inletopening 92. From inlet 92, grooves 93 extend radially outward, thegrooves being closed by a generally frusto-conical, sheet metal shield94 fitted to the lower face of the impeller and held in place by aretainer portion at 95. The bottom wall of pump body 90 is provided witha central, circular opening in which is seated an anti-friction bushing96. Shield 94 has a downwardly extending cylindrical extension 97journaled in the bushing 96 and via which liquid can flow to theimpeller inlet.

Pump chamber 91 includes an annular space 98 around the periphery of theimpeller and to which the liquid from grooves 93 is delivered duringoperation of the pump, space 98 communicating directly with an outletchannel 99 leading to a distributor chamber 100 defined by the pump bodyabove the pump chamber and at one side of the axis of rotation of theimpeller.

Pump body 90 is mounted on the bottom wall of sump casing 41, as byscrews 101, FIGS. 1 and 22. As seen in FIG. 1, the arrangement is suchthat the bottom wall of the sump pump body is spaced slightly above thebottom wall of the sump casing, the inlet opening being disposed wellbelow the upper limit of the outlet opening afforded by valve seat 56.Hence, when a sufiicient quantity of liquid is in the sump casing,rotation of the impeller by shaft 84 is effective to pump the liquid todistributor chamber 100, from whence it will be forced through spraypipes as hereinafter explained.

Pump body 90 has a centrally disposed, upwardly extending hollow boss102, through which shaft 84 extends freely, and in one side of which isa lateral opening. As seen in FIG. 22, there extends from the top of thepump body an upright web 103 in which is journaled a shaft 104, FIG. 21,to which is secured a nylon worm Wheel 105. Fixed to the shaft 84,within boss 102, is a worm 106. Worm wheel 104 extends through thelateral opening in the boss and is operatively meshed with the worm, asseen in FIG. 21. Also fixed to shaft 104 is a bevel gear 107 meshed witha second bevel gear 108, the latter being secured to a vertical shaftjournaled in bracket 109, FIG. 22. Also secured to this vertical shaftis a pinion 110. Fixed rigidly to boss 102 and extending upwardtherefrom, concentric with shaft 84, is a tubular bearing 111 on whichis journaled a gear 112 of substan" tially larger diameter than pinion110, pinion and gear 112 being operatively meshed. Gear 112 has an upperhub 113 in the top face of which is a diametrically extending slot 114.A friction disc 115, having a central. opening to clear extension 116 ofbearing 111, rests on the top face of hub 113 and is provided withdownwardly bent tongues 117 engaging in slot 114, so that the frictiondisc is caused to turn with gear 112.

Rigidly connected with pinion 110, and located in a horizontal planebelow the pinion, is an eccentric 110 disposed in a circular opening indistributor actuating pawl 119. The pawl is loosely pivoted to the pumpbody, by means of a vertical screw or the like at 120. The top ofdistributor chamber 100 is closed by a manifold block 121 fixed to thetop face of the pump body, as by screws 122, FIG. 22. Manifold block 121is provided with five upwardly extending bores 123 each opening towarddistributor chamber 100 and communicating with a different one of fivehorizontally extending bores 124. Mounted in the manifold block and eachcommunicating with a horizontal bore 124 and hence a different verticalbore 123 are the lower, horizontal end portions of spray pipes 125-129.

Upright bores 123 are arranged in a circular series at the center ofwhich is a vertical bore in which is rotatably disposed a shaft 130.Above manifold block 121, shaft has fixed thereto a ratchet wheel 131.Below block 121, shaft 130 drives rotary distributor valve meansindicated generally at 132, FIG. 21. Means 132 includes a nylon disc133, disposed against the bottom face of block 121, and a lower metaldisc 134 disposed against disc 133, both discs having central openingsfreely surrounding shaft 130. Disc 133 has an integrally formeddependent pin 135 extending through an aperture in disc 134. Hence, thetwo discs must rotate as one. A spring 136 is secured rigidly to thelower end of shaft 130 and has a notched or forked end portion 137 inwhich pin 135 is engaged, so that rotation of the shaft is imparted tothe two discs. Spring 136 extends radially from shaft 130 and curvesupward, resiliently urging discs 133, 134 against the lower face ofmanifold block 121. Discs 133, 134 are each provided with a singleopening 138, held in registry disc-to-disc by reason of pin 135, and sospaced from shaft 130 as to be brought into registry successively withthe upright bores 123 in manifold block 121 as shaft 130 is rotated.

The free tip of pawl 119 is engaged with the teeth of ratchet wheel 131.Also engaged with the ratchet wheel teeth is a dog spring 139. It willthus be understood that, when power shaft 84 rotates, the resultingrotation of eccentric 118 is imparted to shaft 130 by the pawl andratchet wheel, so that discs 133, 134 are turned continuously, placingmanifold bores 1-23, and hence the spray pipes 125-129, successively incommunication with distributor chamber 100. Thus, the spray pipessuccessively receive the output of centrifugal pump 89.

Above friction disc 1 15, tubular 'bearing 111 has secured thereto asleeve 140 which is fitted into the bottom end of tube 85. Hence, airforced downward in tube 85 by operation of fan 83 ultimately escapes viabearing 11]. and the lateral opening in boss 102.

The dish rack is indicated generally at 14 1 and includes a centrallydisposed base support 142, best seen in FIG. 21. Support 142 comprisesan annular lower plate 143 an an upper plate 144 provided with a centralopening 145 to accommodate tube 85; Lower plate 143 is prov-ided with aperipheral, upwardly opening notch 146, While plate 144 has aperipheral, outwardly directed flange 147. The two plates are securedtogether, as by screws seen in FIGS. 4 and 8, and the inner,horizontally extending portions 148 of the plastic covered wires or rodsmaking up the lower portion of the dish rack are clamped securelybetween notch 146 and flange .147. At least lower plate 143 of basesupport 142 is fabricated of nylon or similar material and has a flat,horizontal bottom face which frictionally engages the top face offriction disc 115, Accordingly, with the rack in its lower position, asseen in FIGS. 1 and 4, rotation of shaft 84 to drive pump 89 alsorotates the dish rack 141, since friction disc 115, and therefore basesupport 142, is caused to rotate by the transmission described withreference to FIGS. 21 and 22. It will now be understood that all of thetorque for driving the dish rack 141 in its lower position istransmitted frictionally from the lower element 115 to the upper element142.

At its top, rack 141 includes a circularly spaced series of uprightplastic covered wires or rods 149 connected at their upper ends by acircularly extending wire or rod 150 which, as best seen in FIGS. and11, carries a plurality of spaced, .arcuate, nylon slide bearing pads151. The diameter of circular wire or rod 150, and the dimensions ofpads 151, are such that the bearing pads slidably engage the surface ofcombined guide and motor casing 27. The casing 27 is provided with anannular series of protrusions 152, the upper surfaces of which all liein substantially the same horizontal plane. Laterally of casing 27, thedimension of protrusions 152 is such that the protrusions can engageunder bearing pads 151 but not under wire or rod 150. Hence, with theprotrusions 152 out of vertical alignment with bearing pads 151, thedish rack 141 can be raised and then turned to engage the bearing padsover the protrusions, the entire dish rack then being suspended fromcasing 27 via protrusions 152. It is thus possible to easily raise thedish rack, and maintain the same in raised position, in order to provideready access to the lower portion of the dishwasher for cleaningpurposes, as will be evident from FIG. 8.

Dish rack 141 is generally circular and includes an upper section 153 ofsmaller diameter and a lower section 154 of such diameter as to have itsperiphery near the vertical wall of housing 10, the two sections beingconnected by upwardly and inwardly slanting, widely spaced, straightintermediate lengths of plastic covered wire or rod 155. Upper portion153 comprises relatively tall, more or less upright projections 156 andis adapted to support plates and the like in the fashion seen in FIG. 5.Lower portion 154 comprises a flat portion 157 and a portion equippedwith relatively short, sloping supports 158, so that smaller dishes,cups, saucers, etc., can be supported on this section in the manner seenin FIG. 5.

A silverware basket 159 can also be employed. The entire rack structureis of metal wire or rod covered with plastic.

It will be noted that dependent casing 27 is of such length, and dishrack 141 of such height, that circularly extending wire or rod 150embraces the casing both when the rack is raised and when it is lowered.Thus, the casing not only acts as means from which the rack can besuspended, when in raised position, but also as means for positioningand stabilizing the rack when the same is in its lower position, duringoperation of the dishwasher.

As best seen in FIG. 8, all of the spray pipes 125-129 include a lower,horizontal portion extending along bottom wall to points adjacent thevertical wall of the housing. Spray pipe 125 terminates at such pointand is provided with spaced discharge orifices directed toward the topof the dishwasher. Thus, liquid discharged from spray pipe 125 impingeson the contents of the dish rack a from below. Spray pipes 126-129 haveupright portions extending beside the vertical wall of the housing, pipe129 terminating in a portion 129 FIG. 1, extending horizontally belowand adjacent to top wall 14 in an area not traversed by top wall 24 ofdoor 22. Discharge ori fices of portion 129 are directed downward toimpinge upon the contents of the dish rack from above, Spray pipe 126extends upward for approximately half the height of the dishwasher, pipe127 for about three quarters of the height, and pipe 128 forsubstantially the full height.

Spray pipe 12-6 has discharge orifices distributed along a portionthereof extending from the tip downward for about three quarters of thetotal upright length. Spray pipe 127 has discharge orifices distributedalong a portion thereof starting at the tip of pipe 126 and extending tothe tip of pipe 127. The spaced discharge orifice of pipe 128 extendsfrom a point at the tip of pipe 126 to the tip of pipe 128. Pipe 129 hasits discharge orifices restricted to upper horizontal portion 129*. Allof the discharge orifices are directed toward the dish rack.

During operation, distributor valve means is effective to connect theoutput of pump 89 first to pipe 125, so that the first spray is frombelow, then to pipes 126, 127, 128 and 129 in succession, the finalspray thus being from above. Each pipe receives the full output of thepipe and, since each pipe contains only a relatively small number ofdischarge orifices, the pressure and rinsing force of each jet of liquidis unusually strong, considering the relatively small amount of waterused, and an effective cleaning of the dishes is thus attainedeificiently and economically.

The pump inlet and the discharge end of supply conduit 45 are disposedbelow a filter element 160, FIGS. 1 and 8, of circular sheet form havinga central opening embracing the pump body and extending outward intoengagement with side wall 42 of sump casing 41. Adjacent valve seat 56,however, filter element is bent downward along a line 161 extendingchordwise of casing 41 so that, at this point, its outer edge lies belowthe discharge opening into pipe coupling 57, as will be clear from FIG.19. Thus, sump casing 41 is separated into an inlet portion and anoutlet portion, so that particles removed from the dishes during washingcannot be carried into the pump. The pump and transmission unit isenclosed by a housing 162 of inverted cup shape, the top wall of thehousing extending beneath friction disc 1-15 and the cylindrical wallextending below filter element 160. Hence, all of the wash and rinseliquid must flow to the sump via the filter element without contactingthe pump and transmission parts.

In view of the foregoing, it will now be understood that the casing 27depends from the top wall of housing 10 and the pump 89 is supported bythe bottom wall 15 and that the upright drive shaft 84 extends betweenthem. The casing 27, pump 89, reduction gearing which is centrallydisposed in the housing above the pump 89, and dish rack support 142which is positioned above the reduction gearing, are generally invertical alignment with one another.

The housing 10 and depending casing 27 define a first annular spaceextending downward from the top wall of the housing to the bottom of thecasing 27. The vertical height of a second space extending downward fromthe bottom of the depending casing 27 to the rotatable part 142 uponwhich the dish rack 141 is supported comprises at least a third of theoverall height of the housing.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the dishwasher can be supported by feet 16directly on a work table or counter adjacent a sink or the like.Alternatively, the feet 16 can be engaged with a tubular frame 163attached at 164 to a wall of the room in which the device is to beemployed.

In use, the cable 78 is connected by plug or permanent connection to theusual electrical outlet, the machine preferably being grounded in anysuitable fashion. De-

l-ivery hose 47 is connected to a water faucet or other source ofWashing liquid under pressure. Discharge hose 65 is connected to thesink or other receiver. Lever 61 is operated to close the dischargevalve. Door 22 is opened, the dishes to be washed are placed in rack141, the rack being rotated for ease of operation, and the door thenclosed, freeing switch actuator 79. Motor 72 is now energized to operatepump 89 and distributor valve means 132 and to rotate the dish rack. Thefaucet is then opened to supply water until the level reaches the top ofoverflow pipe 68 and begins to flow through hose 65, the faucet thenbeing closed. The water delivered by the pump is sprayed onto thecontents of the dish rack by pipes 125-129, drains into sump casing viafilter element 160 and is recirculated for so long as the motor remainsenergized. After the motor 72 has been stopped by manipulating switchactuator 79, lever 61 is pivoted to open the discharge valve, and thewater is allowed to drain via hose 65. Such cycle of operation isrepeated as desired, with or without introduction of detergent viaopening 37. Advantageously, one cycle is carried out without detergent,to remove the coarsest particles from the dishes, the cycle is thenrepeated with detergent, and then repeated again as a rinse cyclewithout detergent. Door 22 is then opened, locking the motor switchmeans in off position, hose '47 is stored by attaching the free endthereof to housing by means of suction cup 50, and the apparatus allowedto stand until the dishes are dry. If desired, drying can be acceleratedby closing door 22 and operating motor 72 so that fan 83 forces air,warmed by the motor, down tube 85 into the dishwasher.

The embodiment of the invention shown has the particular advantage thatit allows effective pre-flushing and rinsing of the dishes, etc., to becarried out while fresh water is being continuously supplied to sumpcasing 41 at a relatively small flow rate, so that only a relativelysmall amount of hot water from the faucet is consumed. If movable valveelement 60 is left in open position and Water is supplied continuouslyfrom the faucet to the sump, via inlet pipe 45, an equilibrium conditionis quickly reached in which the inflow to the sump and the outflow viathe lateral opening aflorded by valve seat 56 are equal. Assuming that asuflicient amount of Water is supplied via pipe 45, the water level inthe sump will be above the inlet opening 92 of the pump, so that theapparatus can be operated continuously to spray a portion of thecontinuously changing water supply in the sump onto the dishes, etc.,via pipes 125129. Thus, continuously added fresh water can be used forpre-fiushing and rinsing, rather than re-circulating water which hasalready been in contact with the dishes, etc. This method of operationis particularly useful in rinsing, since the rinse water will run clearand free of detergent by the end of the rinse step.

The foregoing advantage is realized by providing the sump 41, which isrelatively small compared to the size of the housing 10, to hold a bodyof liquid which is utilized to effect a dishwashing operation, such asprefiushing or rinsing, for example. For this reason, the pump 89 ismounted in the sump 41 adjacent to its bottom wall for the purpose ofremoving liquid therefrom and conducting the liquid under pressure tothe spraying means in the housing 10. As best seen in FIGS. 6, l8 and19, liquid is diverted from the inlet opening 92 of the pump 89 anddischarged by gravity from the sump 41 by piping 57 which provides ahorizontal passage means into which liquid is initially introduced fromthe sump 41, the piping 57 providing a path for flowing liquidexteriorly of the sump at a level above its bottom wall. As seen in FIG.18, liquid is discharged by gravity from the side wall of sump 41through a circular opening defined by seat 56 which is in alignment withthe circular opening 58 in the wall of horizontal piping. Hence, thehorizontal passage means provided by the piping 57 has a circularopening which constitutes a zone in the path of flow of liquid whichincreases in width in an upward direction from its bottom. The zone,which is at the vicinity of the valve seat 56 and opening 58 in piping57, functions to allow liquid to discharge and pass from the sump 41 ata rate which increases with rise in liquid level in the sump 41; and, asexplained above, the liquid level will rise in the sump 41 until thequantity of liquid discharged by gravity from the sump 41 in a giveninterval of time eventually equals the quantity of liquid supplied tothe sump from a source of supply in the same given interval of time.Under these conditions, the liquid surface level will remain at a levelabove the intake of the pump 89 while the pump is in operation.

From FIGS. 21 and 22, it will be understood that the gearing employed todrive the rack 141 and the distribu tor valve means 132 from the shaft84 constitutes a speed reduction gearing. Thus, while shaft 84 isrotated at high speed to accomplish effective operation of thecentrifugal pump 89, the rack rotates at a relatively slow speed and thedistributor valve means functions to change the pump delivery from pipeto pipe at a relatively slow speed.

Attention is called to copending application Serial No. 142,874, filedOctober 4, 1961, by Bror Carl Axel Lundstedt, claiming certain featuresherein disclosed.

The embodiment shown and described herein is illustrative of theinvention and does not limit it, and various modifications can be madewithout departing from the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a washing machine of the type described, the combination of anupright housing having a top wall and a bottom wall; electrical drivemotor mean having an upright power shaft; a rotary pump including animpeller disposed to rotate about an upright axis, said power shaftbeing connected to said impeller to drive the same; means carried bysaid bottom wall and defining a sump, said pump having an intake locatedwithin said sump; water supply means communicating with said sump tosupply Water thereto; spray means disposed in said housing; meansconnecting the output of said pump to said spray means; rack meansadapted to support articles to be washed; speed reduction gearing havingan input and an output, said gearing being mounted above said pump andhaving its input connected to said power shaft; and a friction drivecoupling comprising a pair of separable, horizontally disposed frictionelements arranged one above the other, the lower one of said frictionelements being connected to the output of said gearing for rotationthereby, the upper one of said friction, elements being fixed to saidrack. means, said rack means being supported by said coupling forrotation about an upright axis and said friction elements beingmaintained in frictional engagement by gravitational force appliedvertically by said rack means, said friction drive being so constructedand arranged that all of the torque for driving said rack means istransmitted frictionally from the lower element to the upper element,said rack means being disposed to travel the articles carried therebypast said spray means.

2. A washing machine in accordance with claim 1 and wherein said rackmeans is so dimensioned and arranged with respect to said housing as tobe bodily movable between a lower position, in which said frictionelements are engaged, and an upper position, the machine furthercomprising means for supporting said rack means in its entirety insaid'upper position.

3. A washing machine in accordance with claim 2 and wherein said pumpincludes a body enclosing said impeller and from which said power shaftextends upward, said speed reduction gearing, being carried by said pumpbody and said friction elements being coaxial with respect to said shaftand free to rotate relative thereto, the machine further comprising acasing for said pump and gearing, said casing including an upper wall.extending .7 7 ll V 7 generally transversely of said shaft below thelower one of said friction elements.

4. In a washing machine of the type described, the combination of anupright housing having a top wall and abottom wall; electrical drivemotor means having an upright power shaft; a rotary pump comprising abody defining a pump chamber, and an impeller operatively arranged insaid pump chamber for rotation about an upright axis, said power shaftbeing connected to said impeller to drive the same and extending upwardfrom said body; means operatively arranged to supply water to theintakeof said pump; speed reduction gearing mounted on said pump body, saidgearing including an output gear disposed above said pump body androtatably supported thereon with its axis of rotation coincident withthe axis of rotation of said power shaft, said output gear beingrotatable relative to said power shaft and the input of said speedreduction gearing being operatively connected to said power shaft belowsaid output gear; spray means disposed in said housing; means connectingthe output of said pump to said spray means; a rotatable rack adapted tosupport articles to be washed and to travel such articles past saidspray means; a rotary drive coupling comprising first and secondseparable elements disposed above said output gear and operativelyconnecting said output gear to said rack to rotate said rack uponrotation of said power shaft, and said coupling being so constructed andarranged that all of the torque for driving said rack is transmittedfrictionally from one to the other of said separable elements.

5. In a washing machine of the type described, the combination of anupright housing having a top wall and a bottom wall and an upstandingside wall therebetween, rotary pump means supported by said bottom walland centrally disposed in said housing, a casing centrally located insaid housing and depending from the top Wall thereof and generally invertical alignment with said pump means, a rotary drive shaftoperatively connected to said pump means to drive the same and extendingupward from said pump means through the interior of said housing intosaid depending casing, an electrical motor disposed within saiddepending casing and connected to said shaft to drive the same, rackmeans disposed in said housing for supporting articles to be washed,means including a rotatable part centrally disposed in said housing forsupporting said rack means at a central region thereof for rotationabout the longitudinal axis of said shaft, means including speedreduction gearing which is centrally disposed in said housing above saidpump means and operatively connects said shaft to said rotatable part torotate said rack means, said rotatable part being disposed above saidspeed reduction gearing and generally in vertical alignment therewith,spray means disposed in said housing and arranged to discharge liquidonto articles supported on said rack means, means connecting the outputof saidpump means to said spray means, said housing and said dependingcasing defining a first annular space extending downward from said topwall to the bottom of said casing, the vertical height of a second spacein said housing extending downward from the bottom of said dependingcasing to said rotatable part upon which said rack means is supportedcomprising at least a third of the overall height of said housing, andsaid spray means including provisions for directing liquid jets inwardfrom the side wall of said housing in said second space and toward saiddepending casing across said first annular space.

6. A washing machine as set forth in claim which includes an uprighttube connected at its upper end to said depending casing in fluid-tightrelation therewith and attached at its lower end to said pump means,said drive shaft extending upward through said tube from said pump meansinto said depending casing.

7. A washing machine as set forth in claim 5 which includes meansdefining a sump carried by said bottom 12 wall, the intake of said pumpmeans being above and adjacent to the bottom of said sump, and liquidsupply means connected to supply liquid to said sump.

8. In a washing machine of the type described, the combination of anupright housing having a top wall and a bottom wall and an upstandingside wall there between, a rotary pump means carried by said bottomWall, a casing depending from said top wall within said housing andgenerally aligned above said pump means, said housing and said casingdefining an annular space extending downward from said top wall to thebottom of said casing, a rotary drive shaft operatively connected tosaid pump means to drive the same and extending upward from said pu-mpmeans through the interior of said housing into said depending casing, arotary electrical driving motor disposed within said depending casingand connected to said shaft to drive the same, rack means disposed insaid housing for supporting in said annular space articles to be washed,means supporting said rack means for rotation about the longitudinalaxis of said shaft, means including speed reduction gearing disposedwithin said housing and operatively connecting said shaft to said rackmeans to rotate said rack means, spray means disposed in said housingand arranged to discharge liquid onto articles supported on said rackmeans, means carried by said bottom wall and defining a sump, the intakeof said pump means being in communication with said sump, liquid supplymeans connected to supply liquid to said sump, means connecting theoutput of said pump means to said spray means, said spray meansincluding provisions for directing liquid jets inward from the side wallof said housing toward said casing across said annular space, and saidrack means including structure comprising upwardly extending members forslidably engaging the surface of said depending casing to stabilize saidrack means during its rotation.

9. A washing machine as set forth in claim 8 in which said dependingcasing includes an upstanding cylindrical Wall and said rack meansstabilizing structure includes a ring-shaped element fixed to theupwardly extending members, said element being disposed about saidupstanding side wall in sliding engagement therewith to stabilize saidrack 'means during its rotation.

10. In a washing machine of the type described, the combination of anupright housing having a top wall and a bottom wall and an upstandingside wall therebetween, a rotary pump means carried by said bottom wall,a casing depending from said top wall within said housing and generallyaligned above said pump means, said housing and said casing defining anannular space extending downward from said top wall to the bottom ofsaid casing, a rotary drive shaft operatively connected to said pumpmeans to drive the same and extending upward from said pump meansthrough the interior of said housing into said depending casing, arotary electrical driving motor disposed within said depending casingand connected to said shaft to drive the same, rack means disposed insaid housing for supporting in said annular space articles to be washed,means sup porting said rack means for rotation about the longitudinalaxis of said shaft, means including speed reduction gearing disposedwithin said housing and operatively connecting said shaft to said rackmeans to rotate said rack means, spray means disposed in said housingand arranged to discharge liquid onto articles supported on said rackmeans, means carried by said bottom wall and defining a sump, the intakeof said pump means being in communication with said sump, liquid supplymeans connected to supply liquid to said sump, means connecting theoutput of said pump means to said spray means, said spray meansincluding provisions for directing liquid jets inward from the side wallof said housing toward said casing across said annular space, said rackmeans being bodily movable between a 13 lower position of use and anupper position in which the lower portion of said housing beneath saidrack means is exposed for cleaning, and said casing being provided withsupport means engageable with said rack means to support the latter inits entirety in its upper position.

11. In a washing machine of the type described, the combination of ahousing having a top wall and a bot tom wall; rotary pump means mountedon said bottom wall; a casing depending from said top wall and generallyaligned above said pump means; a rotary drive shaft operativelyconnected to said pump means to drive the same and extending from saidpump means upward through the interior of said housing into saiddependent casing; an upright tube surrounding and spaced from said driveshaft, the upper portion of said tube being connected to said dependentcasing in substantially fluid-tight relation, the lower end of said tubebeing mechanically connected to said pump means, the lower portion ofsaid tube communicating with the interior of said housing; an electricaldriving motor disposed in said dependent casing and connected to saidshaft to drive the same; a cooling fan located in said dependent casingand driven by said motor, said fan being arranged to cause air to flowover said motor and downward through said tube; a rack disposed in saidhousing and adapted to support articles to be washed; means supportingsaid rack for rotation about the longitudinal axis of said shaft; meansincluding speed reduction gearing operatively connecting said shaft tosaid rack to rotate the same; spray means disposed in said housing andarranged to discharge liquid onto articles supported on said rack, andmeans connecting the output of said pump means to said spray means.

12. In a washing machine of the type described, the combination of ahousing having a top wall and a bottom. wall and an upright side Walltherebetween, a hollow member depending from said top wall into theinterior of said housing, said housing and said hollow member definingan annular space extending downward from said top wall to the bottom ofsaid hollow member, rotary pump means mounted on said bottom wall, anupright drive shaft operatively connected to said pump means andextending through the interior of said housing into said hollowdependent member, a rotary electrical motor disposed within. said hollowmember and connected to said shaft to drive the same, rack meansdisposed in said housing for supporting in said annular space articlesto be washed, means mounting said rack means for rotation about the axisof said shaft, means operatively connected to said rack means to rotatethe same, spray means disposed in said housing and arranged to dischargeliquid against articles supported on said rack means, means carried bysaid bottom wall and defining a liquid supply sump opening to theinterior of said housing, said pump means having an intake disposed insaid sump, means connecting the output of said pump means to said spraymeans, said spray means including provisions for directing liquid jetsinward from the side wall of said housing toward said hollow memberacross said annular space, and means carried by said rack means forengaging said dependent hollow member for stabilizing said rack meansduring its rotation.

13. In a washing machine of the type described, the combination of ahousing having a top wall and a bottom wall, a hollow member dependingfrom said top wall into the interior of said housing, rotary pump meansmounted on said bottom wall, an upright driveshaft operatively connectedto said pump means and extending through the interior of said housinginto said hollow dependent member, a rotary electrical motor disposedwithin said hollow member and connected tosaid shaft to drive the same,a rack disposed in said housing and adapted to support articles to bewashed, means mounting said rack for rotation about the "axis ofsaidshaft,

means operatively connected to said rack to rotate the same, spray meansdisposed in said housing and arranged to discharge liquid againstarticles supported on said rack, means carried by said bottom wall anddefining a liquid supply sump opening to the interior of said housing,said pump means having an intake disposed in said sump, means connectingthe output of said pump means to said spray means, and stabilizing meanscarried by said rack and engaging said dependent hollow member, saidhollow member having a cylindrical side wall, said stabilizing meanscomprising an element of said rack extending horizontally and circularlyand having slide bearing means engaging said cylindrical wall, saidrac'k being movable between a lower operative position and an upperposition exposing the lower portion of the interior of said housing forcleaning, said hollow member being provided with lateral projections ofsuch length as to engage beneath said slide bearing means to supportsaid rack in said upper position.

14. In a washing machine of the type described, the combination of ahousing having a top wall and a'bottom wall; rotary pump means mountedon said bottom wall and including a pump body, an impeller and a powershaft; a bearing member carried by said pumpbody on the top thereof andhaving a vertical bearing axis; speed reduction gearing having an inputmember operativelyconnected with said shaft for rotation thereby and arotary output member journaled on said bear ing member for rotationabout said axis; a rack disposed in said housing and adapted to supportarticles 'to be washed; a drive coupling arranged to support and drivesaid rack, said coupling comprising a plurality ofv separablepartsprovided with cooperating, horizontally disposed clutch faces, one ofsaid parts being se cured to said rack and another of said parts restingon said output member and operatively connected to said output memberfor rotation thereby, the weight of said rack and its contents beingeifective to maintain said clutch faces in engagement and said rackbeing free to be raised to an elevated position in-said housing; a spraymeans disposed in said housing and arranged to discharge liquid againstarticles supported onsaid rack, and means connecting the output of saidpump means to said spray means.

15. A washing machine in accordance with claim 14 and wherein said spraymeans comprises a plurality of spray pipes, and said means connectingthepump output to said spray means'includes a rotary distributor valvecomprising a stationary member having a plurality of ducts connectedeach to a different one'of said pipes and a rotary valve elementoperatively disposed to place said ducts successively in communicationwith said pump means, said rotary valve element being operativelyconnected to saidgearing for rotation thereby as said rack is rotated.

'16. A washing machine in accordance with claim 15 and wherein said pumpbody defines a pump chamber in which said impeller isdisposed, and adistributor chamber connected to said pump chamber, said stationarymember of saiddistributor valve forming a cover for said distributorchamber and said rotary valve elemeint being disposed within saiddistributor chamber and having a drive shaft extending througha boreinsaid stationary valve member.

, p '17. A washing machine in accordance with claim 14 and furthercomprising a driving motor disposed at the top of said housing, saidpower shaft extending upward from said pump means centrally through saidbearing member. i

18. A washing machine in accordance with claim 17 and further comprisinga casing for said motor mounted on saidtop wall, and a stationary tubeextending yertically from said casing to said pump means, said tubeenclosing said shaft but being spaced therefrom, the up per portion ofsaid tube being connected to said casing in fluid-tight relation and thelower end of said tube being mechanically attached to said pump means.

19. A washing machine in accordance with claim 18 and wherein said motoris a vertical electric motor equipped with a cooling fan arranged tocause air to flow from the motor downward through said tube, the saidtube communicating with the interior of said housing via the lowerportion of said tube.

20. A washing machine in accordance with claim 14 and further comprisinga dependent casing secured to said top wall of said housing,anelectrical motor disposed in said casing, said power shaftextendingupward from said pump means into said casing and beingconnected to said motor for rotation thereby, the upper portion of saidrack comprising stabilizing means connected with said casing but capableof allowing said rack to rotate relative to said casing.

21. A washing machine in accordance with claim 20 and wherein saidcasing carries lateral projections disposed to engage a portion of saidrack to support the same in said elevated position.

22. A washing machine in accordance with claim 14 .and furthercomprising means defining a sump chamber into which the inlet of saidpump means opens, said sump chamber being provided with inlet and outletopenings; a casing enclosing said pump means and gearing, said sumpchamber being open to receive liquid discharged by said spray means anddraining from said rack, said casing being effective to shield saidgearing from such liquid, and a filter element disposed efiectivelybetween a portion of said sump chamber including said pump inlet and theinlet opening of said chamber but allowing liquid to flow from theinterior of said housing directly into the outlet opening of said pumpchamber.

23. A washing machine in accordance with claim 14 and further comprisingmeans defining a sump chamber open to the interior of said housing andwith which the inlet of said pump means communicates, said sump chamberhaving inlet and outlet openings; overflow means disposed to receiveliquid when the same reaches a predetermined level in said housing; asingle drain conduit connected in parallel to said overflow means andsaid outlet opening, and means including a valve for controlling flow ofliquid through said outlet opening to said drain conduit.

24. In a dishwasln'ng machine of the character described, thecombination of an upright housing having a bottom opening, means carriedby said housing defining a sump to hold a body of liquid utilized toefiect a dishwashing operation while liquid flows continuously throughthe-machine, said sump being relatively small compared to the size ofsaid housing and having a side wall and a bottom wall and communicatingwith the interior of said housing through the bottom opening, meansconnected to said machine for supplying liquid to said sump from asource of supply, means including a pump for taking up liquid from saidsump to eifect a dishwashing operation, said pump being mounted with itsintake disposed in said sump at a region which is adjacent to the bottomwall thereof, means for discharging liquid from said sump by gravity ina path of flow which diverts liquid from the intake of said pump, saidliquid discharge means including substantially horizontal passage meansinto which liquid is initially introduced from said sump, saidhorizontal passage means providing said path for flowing liquidexteriorly of said sump, said path of flow having at least a partthereof at a level above the bottom wall of said sump, said passagemeans including a zone which is so dimensioned and located with respectto the bottom wall of said sump that, while said pump is in operationand the quantity of liquid discharged by gravity from said sump throughsaid passage means in a given interval of time substantially equals thequantity of liquid supplied to said sump by said liquid supply means inthe same given interval of time, the liquid surface level in said sumpwill remain at a level above the intake of said pump, power meansconnected to drive said pump, a rack disposed in said housing andadapted to support articles to be washed, spray means disposed in saidhousing to discharge liquid toward articles supported by said rack, andmeans connecting the output of said pump for delivering liquid from saidsump to said spray means.

25. In a dishwashing machine of the character described, the combinationof an upright housing having a bottom opening, means carried by saidhousing defining a sump to hold a body of liquid utilized to effect adishwashing operation while liquid flows continuously through themachine, said sump being relatively small compared to the size of saidhousing and having a side wall and a bottom wall and communicating withthe interior of said housing through the bottom opening, means connectedto said machine for supplying liquid to said sump from a source ofsupply, means including a pump for taking up liquid from said sump toeffect a dishwashing operation, said pump being mounted with its intakedisposed in said sump at a region which is adjacent to the bottom wallthereof, means for discharging liquid from said sump by gravity in apath of flow which diverts liquid from the intake of said pump, saidliquid discharge means including substantially horizontal passage meansinto which liquid is initially introduced from said sump, saidhorizontal passage means providing said path for flowing liquidexteriorly of said sump, said path of flow having at least a partthereof at a level above the bottom wall of said sump, said passagemeans including a zone which increases in width in an upward directionfrom its bottom and being so shaped and dimensioned and located withrespect to the bottom wall of said sump that, while said pump is inoperation and the quantity of liquid discharged by gravity from saidsump through said passage means in a given interval of timesubstantially equals the quantity of liquid supplied to said sump bysaid liquid supply means in the same given interval of time, the liquidsurface level in said sump will remain at a level above the intake ofsaid pump, power means connected to drive said pump, a rack disposed insaid housing and adapted to support articles to be washed, spray meansdisposed in said housing to discharge liquid toward articles supportedby said rack, and means con necting the output of said pump fordelivering liquid from said sump to said spray means.

26. In a washing machine of the type described, the combination of anupright housing having a bottom wall provided with a central opening;means carried by said bottom wall and depending therefrom to define ashallow sump communicating with the interior of said housing via saidopening; a pump enclosed by said housing and sump and disposed with itsintake adjacent the bottom of said sump, said sump being provided with adischarge opening for flowing liquid therefrom by gravity and an intakeopening; supply conduit means connected to said intake opening, saiddischarge and intake openings being so located and dimensioned thatsupply of liquid to said sump via said intake opening at a given ratewill maintain a liquid level above the intake of said pump when saidpump is in operation; a rack disposed in said housing and adapted tosupport articles to be Washed; spray means arranged in said housing todischarge liquid onto articles supported by said rack; means connectingthe output of said pump to said spray means; and a drive motor carriedby said housing and connected to drive said pump, said housing beingprovided at its bottom with drain means independent of and laterallyremoved from said central opening for draining liquid by gravity fromthe interior of said housing.

27. In a washing machine of the type described, the combination of anupright housing having a bottom wall formed with an opening, means inthe housing for supporting therein dishes to be Washed, spray means inthe housing for spraying liquid therein, structure mounted on thehousing which provides a sump chamber having a bottom part and anupstanding side wall joined to the bottom wall of the housing anddepending therefrom, the sump chamber always being in communication withthe interior of the housing through the opening in its bottom wall, apump having an inlet and an outlet, means connecting the pump outlet andthe spray means, the pump being so constructed and arranged that itsinlet is disposed in the sump chamber, means for introducing liquid tothe washing machine for flow to the sump chamber, means providing adrain for draining liquid by gravity from the interior of the housing,the drain means being constructed and arranged to drain liquid from theinterior of the housing at a region laterally removed from the openingin its bottom wall, the side wall of the sump chamber having an outletat a level above its bottom part and below the bottom wall of thehousing, a hollow member having a passage, means for fixing the hollowmember on the sump chamber structure with the passage communication withthe outlet in the side wall of the sump chamber, first conduit meansconnecting the hollow member and the drain means, second conduit meansconnected to the hollow member for conducting liquid to waste, and meansincluding a valve movable between closed and open positions forrespectively closing and opening the outlet in the side wall of the sumpchamber, the drain means and valve being so constructed and arrangedthat in the valve-closed position the only line for draining liquid bygravity from a region in the interior of the housing that is above itsbottom wall compnises the first and second conduits and in thevalve-open position liquid can drain by gravity to waste in theaforementioned line from the interior of the housing and also drain bygravity to waste from the sump chamber in a line comprising the secondconduit means.

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